Millions of people are exposed to the amoeba that causes naegleria infection each year, but only a few people get sick from it. Between and , 34 infections were reported in the United States. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Oct. Seas C, et al. Free-living amebas and prototheca. Kliegman RM, et al.
Behaviors associated with the infection include diving or jumping into the water, submerging the head under water or engaging in other water-related activities that cause water to go up the nose.
Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater across the United States. Posting signs based on finding Naegleria fowleri in the water is unlikely to be an effective way to prevent infections. This is because:.
Infection is rare and typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. Very rarely, infections have been reported when people submerge their heads or get water up their nose, cleanse their noses during religious practices, or irrigate their sinuses nose using contaminated tap or faucet water.
Naegleria fowleri can grow in pipes, hot water heaters, and water systems, including treated public drinking water systems. Personal actions to reduce the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection should focus on limiting the amount of water going up the nose and lowering the chances that Naegleria fowleri may be in the water. Please visit the following pages for information on lowering your risk of infection in specific situations:. This information is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider.
If you have any questions about the parasites described above or think that you may have a parasitic infection, consult a health care provider. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages.
Frequently Asked Questions What is Naegleria? How does infection with Naegleria fowleri occur? You cannot get infected from drinking water contaminated with Naegleria. You can only be infected when contaminated water goes up into your nose. Where is Naegleria fowleri found? Soil Naegleria fowleri is not found in salt water, like the ocean. In what water temperature does Naegleria fowleri cause infection?
What is the source of food for Naegleria fowleri? Can I get a Naegleria fowleri infection from a disinfected swimming pool? How common are Naegleria fowleri infections in the United States? When do Naegleria fowleri infections most commonly occur?
Can infection be spread from one person to another? Naegleria fowleri infection cannot be spread from one person to another. What are the symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection? What is the actual mechanism of death from Naegleria fowleri infection? The infection destroys brain tissue causing brain swelling and death. What is the fatality rate for an infected person who begins to show signs and symptoms?
If lesions appear, your doctor may need to perform a needle aspiration to see if the liver has any abscesses. An abscess in the liver is a serious consequence of amebiasis. Finally, a colonoscopy may be necessary to check for the presence of the parasite in your large intestine colon. Treatment for uncomplicated cases of amebiasis generally consists of a day course of metronidazole Flagyl that you take as a capsule.
Your doctor may also prescribe medication to control nausea if you need it. If the parasite is present in your intestinal tissues, the treatment must address not only the organism but also any damage to your infected organs.
Surgery may be necessary if the colon or peritoneal tissues have perforations. Read more: Gastrointestinal perforation ». Amebiasis generally responds well to treatment and should clear up in about 2 weeks. If you have a more serious case where the parasite appears in your internal tissues or organs, your outlook is still good as long as you get appropriate medical treatment.
If amebiasis is left untreated, however, it can be deadly. Proper sanitation is the key to avoiding amebiasis. As a general rule, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food. Colon cleansing, also known as colonic irrigation, involves flushing the colon with fluids to remove waste. Giardiasis is an infection in your small intestine caused by microscopic parasites called giardia. Read on to learn more about it. Dysentery is an intestinal infection that can cause severe diarrhea for up to a week.
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